We drive up from Somerset West and go along the N1, (at times along the N12 via Mokala NP) and then in Jo'berg area, turn onto the N12, and then the N4 to southern Kruger. A long trip, and busy road with many trucks between Jhb and CT, but not a bad road. Much easier than trying to go via 'back routes' where roads are pot holed and slower.

We stop at Karoo NP, Mokala, and then somewhere close to KNP. But we do this trip towing a van.

bewilderd, there is unfortunately no route that won't take you past Johannesburg. You will have to time your journey so that you don't pass through the area during rush hour, which is roughly between 6-9am and 4-6.30pm daily. Travelling on weekends makes traffic a bit lighter. You just stick to the N1, which is highway all the way, it will become congested during rush hour, otherwise the traffic flows fairly quickly. All you need to do is take care that you don't miss the N1 ramp onto the section that goes to Pretoria/Polokwane, it can be a bit confusing, but if you have a Garmin you shouldn't have a problem. Then you carry on with this N1 till you reach the N4 split in Pretoria East, you travel along the N4 which will take you through Witbank, and onto Kruger.I would suggest a sleep-over in Bloemfontein or thereabouts, and leaving Bloem at about 7am, you will pass through Jhb at about midday, which shouldn't be too congested. The N1 is in the best condition and although the tolls are quite crippling, it's worth paying to travel on a good quality road. Which part of Kruger are you visiting?

Hi - I travel almost every year from Napier to Kruger. We go via Robertson up to Touws River then up to Bloemfontein then turn off to Bethlehem & Warden from then it is cross country to Senekal and Ermelo and then Carolina and Barberton and then up to Kruger via the Malelane Gate.

It is a little longer but it is a much more pleasant route and you miss joburg entirely.

DSouter wrote:Hi - I travel almost every year from Napier to Kruger. We go via Robertson up to Touws River then up to Bloemfontein then turn off to Bethlehem & Warden from then it is cross country to Senekal and Ermelo and then Carolina and Barberton and then up to Kruger via the Malelane Gate.

It is a little longer but it is a much more pleasant route and you miss joburg entirely.

Just a note on this route; we did the route in reverse (or most of it) in September. The Winburg-Senekal-Bethlehem section was fine. Cannot comment on the Bethlehem-Warden section because I travelled via the Golden Gate NP (Bethlehem-Clarens-Phutaditjaba-Harrismith-Warden). The section from Warden to Vrede is subject to some serious reconstruction at the moment. The section of road connecting the R103 to Vrede (about 20 km) consists entirely of gravel detours. Vrede-Standerton is fine, as is Standerton-Ermelo. The section between Ermelo and Carolina is quite bad; rutted and potholed. If you want to do this route, I would suggest going to Carolina via Bethal. Between Carolina and Badplaas there are areas under construction as well (3 stop/go sections as I recall), as well as one or two of the same between Badplaas and Barberton.

We've only been once, but travelled 1st day, CT to Mokala NP, Kimberly, 2nd day Kimberly to family in Pretoria and 3rd day, Pretoria to Malelane - destination Berg n Dal for the first few nights. Was advised by forumites to avoid BFN - too many trucks on the road. Happily paid tolls on the way to Malelane ( N4?) - road was excellent - Long trip from CT, but if you break up the trip and enjoy the towns en route - not too bad and you get to enjoy SA's little dorpies.

We will be travelling from Cape Town to Kruger for the first time in I don’t know how many years. (Use to fly... but no more MONEY!) We don’t have much time, only 2 days to Satara! One stopover!My Moto: Will rather sleep in Kruger on the ground that on road in a hotel!

I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS:1. Best road to take:a. Cape Town – Bloem - Jo’burg (Pretoria)b. Cape Town – Kimberly – Jo’burg (Pretoria)?2. Does anyone have info on the roads through the eastern Freestate? Winburg- Senekal- Bethlehem- Warden- Vrede Standerton- Ermelo- Baberton- N43. Could someone recommend a place to stay on the N12 or N4 close to Jo’burg on the Kruger side?4. Best road from Jo’burg to Satara?5. Best gate to enter?Orpen, Crocodile Bridge, Phabeni or Numbi RegardsIssi

Issi , we usually visit Kruger about twice a year and have driven all those routes suggested by you . Roadworks are off course the bane for any traveller , and can cause huge frustration . Our last trip in October 2012 , for the UP part , we travelled VIA Kimberly , but at Wolmaransstad , veered off towards Rustenburg then onto Pretoria and northwards - overnighting at Klein Kariba outside Warmbaths . This way , we avoided traffic in JHB area .We have found the roads thru the eastern Freestate deteriorating and has become as bad as the roads in Mpumalanga - potholes , potholes , and dangerous to travel Coming back was over weekend , so we took advantage of light traffic thru JHB - then towards Bloem , etc . We generally sleep over at least two nights -there are plenty B&B's all over , as well as Self-caterings . We do not make reservations for these , but try to stop the day's travel by around 5 pm - it can become dark very quickly after that , and it is easier to find suitable accom while it is still light .In April last year , we travelled Cape Town - Matjiesfontein - Sutherland - Fraserburg - Carnarvon - Prieska-Douglas- Kimberley , etc which was a long , long dirt road , but absolutely quiet and no traffic , and a really delightful B&B at the end of a long day in Douglas . You see , we consider the travelling as part of our holiday , so try to avoid stress, take it easy , and by the time we get to Kruger we are really in great mood to enjoy the park

Tread softly , and let your departure not be spoiled by the damage of your arrival

I would drive up and take it slowly and stop often .. its the best way to see SA there is fortunatley more to see in SA than CT and KNP... leave CT Drive through the Tunnel and enter the hex river valley .. then travel though the karoo and stop at the Karoo National Park .. the views from the chalets are out of this world and then there is Mokola .. and real little Gem . Maybe cross over to Golden gate and then on to the KNP . the karoo is not boring .. lovely colours and rock formations etc Just my thoughts . and the heat in Jan Well all chalets have aircon and the tents Fans I have never found it a problem